Link Line today
By late 2006 it became clear that with over 2500
members using the Link Line service and the competition for grant funding
it became clear that the service would have to be funded on a different basis.
Central to this was the need to change from a grant funded project to a
Social Enterprise offering a range of affordable paid for services.
In March 2007 charges were introduced
and the transition to paid for services was made. Whilst a number of the
original members did not move to the new paid for service many appreciated
the benefits of Link Line and opted to pay for the service and continue
their membership of Link Line on the new basis.
Since then there has been steady
growth with old members coming back and new members joining.
The appointment of a new Chief
Executive to oversee the Social Enterprise and develop the Link Line
Social Franchise Network together with restructuring the organisation has
underpinned the commitment of the Directors to develop the Link Line
services, reach and brand.
An Award winning initiative
The Wolverhampton model has been part
of a national Invest to Save Priority Care project by the Department of
Health. This project, supported by Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust, has
been sponsored by Professor Anthony Sheenan part of the evaluation team
for the Minister of Care Services and resulted the award of the Excellence
in Care Award ahead of many statutory care agencies.
The Franchise Network
Due to the increasing numbers of older
people and the demand on the resources of statutory agencies, there is an
increasing role for faith groups and other organisations to develop and
deliver services to prevent deterioration through isolation by enabling
the voluntary and community sector to reach out more effectively to those
older persons in need of support in their own local community to retain
their independence and cope with every day living.
It is in this climate that
opportunities exist to replicate this valuable service using the
experience and expertise developed in Wolverhampton on a Social Franchise
Basis. Members of the Network have benefited from the opportunity to join
a network of organisations and groups to operate a successful tried and
tested Link Line project and access the well-developed operational,
resource and network support programmes.
With the backing of the Church Urban
Fund following a launch presentation at the General Synod of the Church of
England in July 2007 of the Social Franchise opportunities, over 25
churches and networks together with church based organisations are looking
to join the network and operate Link Line services in their areas as part
of the Franchise Network.
How Link
Line started |
